Children’s spaces and creative adaptation in a high-density neighbourhood of the Bangkok metropolitan region: a case study of the Duang Khae neighbourhood

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the characteristics of children’s spaces and the adaptation in the Duang Khae neighbourhood of the Rong Mueang sub-district, in Bangkok. In this study, we adopted multiple methods to collect data from diverse populations: visual questionnaires, focus group interviews, play space mapping, photography activities and a site visit. Our study revealed the children mostly preferred the Foundation for Child Development playground, the Duang Khae temple and the Rot Fai flat playground that is within a permitted traveling distance and does not entail crossing an avenue. The local organization and the temple play a crucial role in providing recreation areas for the community of children and adults. Also, we found that children use narrow spaces in front of their houses (sois) as a common play space and shortcut routes interconnected to the nearby play spaces as a creative network in this high-density neighbourhood.

Keywords

• children’s environment
• neighbourhood play
• local movement
• low-income community
• urban play space